Sunday, September 20
Astorga
Hola! the concert in the Leon cathedral was beautiful...thought of you, Kimberly Logel,because the highlight of the concert was the flute....you would have loved it! the music was beautiful but just thinking about hearing it in a 13th century gothic cathedral surrounded by 125 stained glass windows at night was pretty moving. The next morning we walked about 5 miles to get out of the city and hit some desolate countryside again, and then some green appeared and then acres and acres of corn fields. we have run into sheep on our path...helped the shephard along the way. it´s not fun to follow the flock...our shoes will never be the same. our weather has been beautiful...especially with a nice wind and cool. it was a big day for us...we walked 22 miles!!!! we were rather proud of ourselves....although our legs did throb throughout the night. we walked to the town of Hospital de Obligo...entering over one of the longest medieval bridges in Spain. our albergue was really cute...nice, colorful courtyard with painted mural and flowers and we only had to share our room with two young men and one other woman. slept late today and didn´t get going til 8. about 2 miles out, two men met us in this little village and directed us to a house where a pilgrims breakfast was being served...every year for the past 9 years on Sept 20th, this family invites pilgrims into their home for a wonderful spread of food. Apparently the grandmother walked the camino and then the parents and this is their way of giving back...the true pilgrim spirit. when the father heard we were from NC he came running over to speak to us in his excellent English...says he studys all the time. he had visited Charlotte...it´s really a small world, no?? after our breakfast and visit we continued on to Astorga over a natural path of rocks, of course, through pretty countryside with the mountains getting closer and closer. Astorga sits up on a hill, surrounded by a Roman wall and is very pretty...different architecture than we have seen before. We had planned to visit the cathedral, museum, etc but it being Sunday, everything was closed so we sat and ate chocolate (Astorga is famous for its chocolate so we had to try it). We never go hungry. From here to Ponferrada is suppose to be one of the prettiest parts of the camino so we are looking forward to it but we know we will be climbing again. We are closing in on Santiago...if all goes as planned we should arrived in 12 to 13 days. keep praying for us. love to all, gene and susu
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Hola! Got your email too and will sit tight with Sherri. How about the bus or taxi idea we talked about?? Anyway what a nice newsy blog. The concert sounded great. Glad the countryside is improving. I know you will get excited about getting closer to Santiago. Amazing to go 22 miles; the 82nd doesn't go that far!! Love you and take good care. All is well here. Love you, B.
ReplyDeleteLOVE hearing about your encounters with the local people along your trail. Everyone sounds so friendly and welcoming. The food (and chocolate) sounds delicious. Your strength is amazing, too! 22 miles is almost a marathon and to think you have two weeks to go...we are so impressed and proud of you. All is well in Raleigh and we miss you. xoxo The Raleigh Logels
ReplyDelete22 miles??? That's amazing! You show those blisters! Can't wait to see your pictures. I can only imagine how beautiful the countryside is. And what a great story about your breakfast with the family - must have been fate that you were passing by on the one day a year they do that. What a great experience that. Good luck hitting these next mountains. Love you! C
ReplyDelete22 miles is amazing!!! The longest Dean and I have ever hiked is 18 and we were much younger then. I guess when the spirit is willing the feet will follow........ keep on truckin' I love your blog!! You two will have to become travel writers after this.
ReplyDelete22 miles!!!! Wow! Amazing day of travels once again. I am in awe of the way these people run out and greet you and bring you in for food! Can you imagine that happening here!?! You guys are doing so great it is unbelievable- Again, can't wait for your return! Everyone is well here in Wilmington! We love you so much!!! Julie
ReplyDeleteWhat a day - 22 miles! I love all the details and information in this post. It's like we're there with you. The concert in the cathedral and the annual pilgrim's breakfast sound amazing. I love that Charlotte got a shout-out! 12 or 13 days is a very attainable goal, so congrats on making it this far. Julia
ReplyDeleteHola! Your big climb should be behind you know. Waiting for a new blog. Back 2 weeks from today!!!!! YAHHHHHHH! All is well here. Close next week. Dogs are good. Look for a package in Santiago. Te Queiro mucho!! B.
ReplyDeleteO Cebreiro, here you come! Try to see the beauty in the challenge and struggle. It shapes you as much as the joys. So glad to hear about the joys; chocolate in Astorga, special breakfasts...soak it ALL up, for soon it will feel like a dream! Drank some wine from Rioja in honor of you both last night. Continue to spread Camino Love with each step you take :)
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